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10 Common Sense Interview Tips Flubbed

by Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder.com

When we refer to something as being "common sense," we usually mean that
it is something we think everyone should know. Often, though, it turns out
that what may seem like common sense to one person isn't always so to
someone else. For example: Veterinarians spend their days around animals, so
they might consider it common knowledge that cats sleep about 18 hours per
day; hence the reason your vet seems so amused when you bring Muffin in for
a checkup, concerned about her inability to stay awake.

Similarly, because human-resources professionals constantly screen and
interview candidates, what may seem like a common-sense interview tip to
them might not have crossed a job seeker's mind. Following are
"common-sense" interview tips straight from the experts' mouths.

1. Be presentable

Wear a suit that fits, and don't cut corners when it comes to ironing or
dry-cleaning, says Monique Honaman, CEO of leadership development company
ISHR Group. "I knew one guy who was in such a rush the day of his interview
that he only ironed the front of his shirt. Later, during the course of his
interview day, it was hot and he was encouraged to remove his jacket and get
more comfortable and it was clear that he had cut corners and only ironed
the front! He was very embarrassed," Honaman says.
Also, while you should always wear deodorant, try to avoid perfumes and
colognes. You never know who will be allergic or just downright averse to
your scent. "A hiring manager once told me a story of how he didn't select
an incredibly well-qualified candidate for a role because she wore the same
perfume as his ex-wife," says Danielle Beauparlant Moser, a career coach
with Blended Learning Team. "He said she walked in the room and his only
thought was how to get her out of his office as quickly as possible."

2. Don't be too early

While you should always arrive at your interview a few minutes early, try
not get there more than 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time,
advises Ben Yeargin, a manager at Spherion Staffing. "[Arriving early] will
lead to anxiety on the candidate's part because they have to sit and wait
for an extended period of time, and it will lead to frustration on the
hiring manager's part because they will feel rushed with the project that
they are trying to accomplish prior to the interview," he says.
If you find yourself getting to the building earlier than you thought, wait
in your car or take a walk around the block until it's closer to your
interview time.

3. Know whom you're meeting with

"Know the name of the interviewer so that you can ask for that person at
the receptionist's desk," advises Cheryl Palmer, president of Call to
Career, an executive coaching firm. "It's embarrassing when the receptionist
asks, 'Who are you here to see?' and you can't remember. Have this
information either in your head or write yourself a note that you refer to
prior to arriving in the waiting area," Palmer says.

4. Remember: You are being interviewed as soon as you walk in the
door

"Most people would never think of the receptionist as being an
interviewer, but it's true," Palmer says. "It's fairly common that the
receptionist will report back to the hiring manager how candidates behaved
in the waiting area. Don't be remembered as the one who ate all the candy
out of the candy dish or spoke disrespectfully to the receptionist."

5. Make proper eye contact

"One of the most obvious mistakes interviewees make is with eye contact,
and it costs a lot of people a lot of jobs," says Barry Maher, who owns a
California-based career coaching firm. "Eye contact is simple," he says.
"Any given eye contact should last about five seconds at a time. And if
there's one interviewer, make eye contact with him or her about 40 to 60
percent of the time. More than 60 percent is intimidating. Less than 40
percent comes off as shifty and perhaps insincere, even dishonest."

6. Eat before the interview, not during it

Duh? Not according to Yeargin, who has experienced interview-snacking
firsthand. "I was in an interview, no more than 10 minutes into it, and I
got called out for two minutes to answer a question," he says. "When I
returned, the applicant was eating some sort of granola or other snack bar.
Needless to say that individual did not get a job with my company." No
matter what the candy bar ads have to say, your hunger can wait.

7. Make sure that what you do eat beforehand does not involve onion
or garlic

You want to be remembered for your professionalism and outstanding
skills, not for what you ate for lunch. Advises Palmer, "Don't eat anything
that has a strong odor before the interview."

8. Don't look at your watch

Block at least two hours of time for the interview, says Cindy Loftus,
co-owner of Loftus O'Meara Staffing. Loftus also advises keeping your
schedule relatively clear on the day of the interview, to avoid feeling the
need to rush. "Don't create distractions to your interview," she says.

9. Tell the interviewer you are interested

Don't forget to tell the recruiter you want the job. "If you truly feel
the position is a fit, let them know and tell them you would like to get to
the next round of interviews, and be prepared to tell them why," Loftus
says.

10. Get business cards from your interviewers -- and use them

"Ask for the business cards of all of the interviewers that you have met
and make sure you take a second or two to read their card," Loftus says.
This will not only be helpful in remembering each person you met with, but
will make it easier to send proper thank-you notes and follow up e-mails,
which should always be done within 24 hours of leaving the interview.

Kaitlin Madden is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job
blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy,
career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @CareerBuilder
on Twitter.